A deathly silence makes me wonder where the inmates are, till shadows start creeping out soundlessly. I’ve met you before – my beliefs, acts, regrets and desires. I believed you are part of me, but today I face you like former teammates. Why did you drive me to do certain things, and why did I … Continue reading Where I grew up
The café of complexities never ceases to fascinate me. Fingerprints on menu cards belong to raised brows as well as beaming smiles. The feet that veer away from shared paths never turn back. The staff observes expressions more than counting the cash left behind in tips. They know it’s all linked – like the deals … Continue reading Cafe Complex
Brick by brick, our intentions converged to build a structure meant to last forever. Little did I know how visitors will write different stories on chosen stones, and choose to call it their own. They look for their fifteen minutes of immortality, as much as I wanted it for decades. The structure weathers storms, rain … Continue reading Inscription
The intricacies of design on this instrument can’t match the complexity of emotions that arise on seeing this. It was my wildest dream and my worst nightmare. We matched wonderfully in our musical intelligence. But that’s not enough to sustain a lifetime. Life is about so much more, and unfortunately, we were not on the … Continue reading Compatibility
“Did you hear that? Arnold has been designated SVP. Aren’t we all doing our duties to perfection and delivering on parameters?” The cafetaria is a place for such conversations. Anybody who wants to understand the company culture should spend more time here. “The joker in the pack always helps you win. Didn’t you see him … Continue reading Joker in the pack
“This is the art that brought me to another country. I was invited by a resident to decorate the alleys with cheap material, and I used rice powder.” “Anybody can do it.” “Yes. Maybe they can. But I kept innovating with my art. The movement from rice powder to vibrant colours got me international fame. … Continue reading All that is local
There’s something magical about the room, but not in a nice way. Is Ellen imagining the figure on the wall, or is it really there? Dad told her not to make up imaginary friends or foes. Wait and watch if the object under observation can really harm. The figure does not move, but something leaps … Continue reading Preparedness
This was his desk from where he texted customers every evening. “Have dirty linen to wash? You can trust us to maintain complete secrecy.” It was a marketing technique that worked reasonably well for him. Customers smiled as they handed over their laundry. One afternoon, a well-manicured hand filled the empty cup with coffee. He … Continue reading Dirty Linen
The fading superstar reinstates himself by owning a cricket team. Writing cheques to buy superstars of sports is intoxicating. Rumours circulate that he chooses the cheerleaders himself. He is so sure they draw people to watch the events, much more than the performance of champions. The stadium is full, but his team is losing. It … Continue reading Superstars
Lorraine finally moves to the old age home she has resisted all along. “Happy to see you, but may I ask what caused the change of mind?” “I achieved a lot in life, by laying bricks in even, predetermined patterns with no scope for error. I earned rewards. I cannot relate to the millennial culture … Continue reading Brick-by-brick
Creative Experiments and More 